[Acoustics] Argonaut-SW

[Tracy Vermeyen]

Hi Neil,

I am involved in a canal seepage study where we are using Sontek SWs in
three culverts to measure flows over a 5-month irrigation season.  The
SWs were placed in 6-ft, 5-ft, and 4-ft culverts which flowed full and
partially full.  The SWs were powered with 12-v batteries and they
worked very well with very few lost data.  We had one instance when
sediment deposition caused the signal to drop out and we lost a weeks
worth of data.  Other than that and a dead battery the flowmeters worked
as advertised.  As part of this study, we did a laboratory evaluation of
the SW in an 18-inch PVC culvert, if you are interested I can send you a
report of this laboratory evaluation.

Best wishes for your study, 



Tracy B. Vermeyen, P.E.                           
Hydraulic Engineer                      
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation                        
Water Resources Research Laboratory    
P.O. Box 25007, D-8560
Denver, Colorado  80225-0007

Phone:  303-445-2154
FAX :     720-544-0551 
Cell:       303-870-9178
e-mail: tvermeyen at do.usbr.gov 
http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/hydraulics_lab/tvermeyen/index.html
>>> Neil Kamal Ganju <nganju at usgs.gov> 03/29/05 6:28 PM >>>
Has anyone used the Sontek Argonaut-SW to measure flow in a submerged 
pipe? I saw a testimonial on Sontek's website, but I wanted to get more 
than one opinion. 

We used to measure flows between salt ponds (through submerged pipes) 
using a downward-looking RDI in a tethered boat, towed in an arc around 
the suction end. A good deal of post-processing was necessary to correct

for the unusual velocity profiles and large percentage of lost 
bins/ensembles. 

It seems like the SW is a better solution (ignoring the logistics of 
deploying in a submerged pipe). Any thoughts? Thanks in advance...

Neil K. Ganju
U.S. Geological Survey
Placer Hall
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA  95819-6129
(916) 278 3117, (916) 207 2206
nganju at usgs.gov